"They are weapons of mass slaughter," King said shortly after his backing became public on Congress's website Monday.

"I don't see any need for them in every day society," King said.
The Assault Weapons Ban of 2019 was rolled out in February by Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.) with 190 other Democrats on board. Another 11 lawmakers signed on after mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, left dozens of people dead and many more injured, with King being among the most recent.

King had been the lead sponsor of a bill improving background checks when Republicans controlled the House and was already one of a handful of Republicans backing that bill now.
He had been considering doing the assault weapons ban, already, but the shootings in Ohio and Texas raised the level of urgency.

"I think the assault weapons ban is timely now, especially in view of the shooting in El Paso and Dayton," King said.

King stepping forward could encourage other Republicans to step forward and prod Democrats in districts that have similar partisan makeups to King's district, that leans only slightly Republican.

"It might give cover to some other Republicans, it might give some incentive to Democrats," King said of his move.

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